Police on guard: Germany has warned its citizens about travel in Mexico.

Germany warns about pre-election violence

Two pre-candidates have been assassinated in Guerrero in the last week

Monday, February 26, 2018

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The government of Germany has warned its citizens that security in Mexico will likely worsen in the lead-up to this year’s elections.

In a new comprehensive travel advisory, the country’s ministry of foreign affairs says “the security situation in many parts of Mexico is constantly deteriorating [and] the presidential, congressional and gubernatorial elections of July 1, 2018 are expected to increase violence further.”

The document entitled “Mexico: Travel and Safety Information” also warns that political demonstrations can turn into violent clashes and should therefore be avoided.

Furthermore, it alerts citizens to the dangers of crime affecting areas they may frequent during a trip to Mexico.

“Violent offenses as a result of high levels of general crime, but also in connection with organized crime (robberies, kidnappings, homicides, acts of revenge), are increasingly taking place in central locations in broad daylight. In organized crime disputes, even bystanders can be harmed,” the warning said.

It also urges caution when dealing with police officers, noting that elements of organized crime have on occasion infiltrated security forces and warns that violence against women, especially in tourist areas, is on the rise.

The advisory specifically advises German citizens to exercise increased caution in the states of Tamaulipas, Sinaloa and Colima as well as rural areas of Guerrero, Michoacán and Jalisco.

It also discourages travel to several cities including Acapulco, Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Culiacán and Ecatepec and advises against visiting or staying in the center of Cancún at night, citing the recent occurrence of several violent clashes in the Quintana Roo resort city.

The warning likewise advises German citizens to take special care in certain districts of Mexico City including the neighborhoods of Tepito, Doctores and Lagunilla and the boroughs of Gustavo A. Madero, Venustiano Carranza and Iztapalapa.

In addition, the document warns about the dangers of natural disasters in Mexico including volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tropical storms.